Driver fatigue plays a role in a large portion of truck accidents. Hours of Service (HOS) regulations were created to prevent fatigue-related accidents, but they do not address all of the causes of truck driver fatigue, and Hos violations are common. If you have been seriously injured (or if a loved one has been killed) in a truck accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Please, talk to our Greenville truck accident attorney today.
How Driver Fatigue Causes Truck Accidents
Fatigue is dangerous for drivers of any type of vehicle, and it is even more dangerous for truck drivers. Truck drivers have less margin for error. In addition to falling asleep behind the wheel, fatigue can impair drivers in the following ways:
- Impaired attention
- Poor judgment and decision making
- Slower reaction time
- Decreased alertness
- Microsleeps
Causes of Fatigue
Too many hours on the road is an obvious cause of fatigue, but even drivers who adhere to HOS regulations can suffer from fatigue. Some common causes of truck driver fatigue include:
- Irregular schedules
- Night driving
- Inability to sleep or poor quality sleep during off hours
- Noisy or dangerous conditions preventing sleep
- Physical labor when not driving
- Hazardous weather or traffic conditions
- Hot weather
- Health issues
- Poor diet
- Stress
- Depression
- Problems at home
South Carolina trucking accident victims need the help of an experienced and dedicated Greenville truck accident attorney. To learn more about your rights and potential compensation please call the Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm at (864) 280-7660 today or contact us online. During your free initial consultation, we will go over the facts in your case and you will learn what to expect. If you choose to go forward, and we agree to handle your case, we will represent you on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid if we win money for you.
